New Delhi, April 22 – Yoga guru Ramdev on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that he will immediately remove all videos and social media posts related to his controversial “Sharbat Jihad” remarks allegedly targeting Hamdard’s product, Rooh Afza. This assurance came after the court expressed serious concern over the appropriateness of the comments, stating that the remarks had deeply disturbed the court’s conscience, as per agency report.
The hearing was held in response to a petition filed by Hamdard National Foundation India against Ramdev and Patanjali Foods Limited. During the proceedings, Hamdard’s counsel informed the court that while promoting Patanjali’s rose sharbat, Ramdev had allegedly claimed that revenue from Rooh Afza was being used for constructing madrasas and mosques.
Ramdev’s legal team initially defended the statement, asserting that he had not named any specific brand or community. However, Justice Amit Bansal, who presided over the matter, called the remarks inappropriate and urged Ramdev’s counsel to obtain instructions from their client, warning that strict orders would otherwise be passed.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Hamdard, called the statement not just defamatory but communal, accusing Ramdev of spreading divisive rhetoric. He emphasized that such remarks amounted to hate speech and questioned why Ramdev was interfering with their business.
Later in the hearing, Ramdev’s lawyer informed the court that all advertisements, whether in print or video format, along with related social media content, would be withdrawn immediately. The court recorded this assurance and directed Ramdev to file an affidavit within five days confirming the removal of such content. It also instructed that he must refrain from making any such statements, advertisements, or posts about competitors’ products in the future.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on May 1.
